QUEZON CITY -- Agrarian Reform Secretary Brother John Castriciones acknowledged the important role played by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) partner-agencies in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), specifically in lifting the lives of the landless farmers and other farmer-beneficiaries.

“Various government agencies play important roles in successfully carrying out agrarian reform program. They perform significant tasks to provide land and support services to our agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs),” said Brother John during the distribution of 62 hectares of agricultural lands and turn over of various support projects in the province of Aurora.

Bro. John cited the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in providing financial assistance to the farmers, the Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in assisting DAR in the conduct of training and seminars and also the Department of Agriculture (DA) in providing additional support services packages to the farmers. 

“We also have to thank the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for providing infrastructure projects in the countryside, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Registry of Deeds that help us to immediately distribute the lands to ARBs,” he added.

The Secretary further said that the farming sector is the backbone of the society because it provides food to the Filipino people.

“Our implementation of agrarian reform is based on a whole-of-the-nation approach that is why we tap the service of various agencies, including the local governments and the Philippine National Police and military to help sustain the peace and development our farmers in the countryside have already gained from this administration,” Brother John said. 

Prior to the distribution ceremony of land titles and support services projects, Bro John delivered certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) right at the doorsteps of ARBs in Barangay Galintuja, Maria Aurora.

He was accompanied by DAR top officials, local government officials, personnel from various government agencies and some military personnel to assure the CLOA recipients that they would receive more help from the government to make their lands productive. (DAR)